EP2452435B1 - Push-button switch having capacitive touching detection - Google Patents

Push-button switch having capacitive touching detection Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP2452435B1
EP2452435B1 EP10731463.5A EP10731463A EP2452435B1 EP 2452435 B1 EP2452435 B1 EP 2452435B1 EP 10731463 A EP10731463 A EP 10731463A EP 2452435 B1 EP2452435 B1 EP 2452435B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
key
pushbutton switch
switch according
switching
circuit board
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Not-in-force
Application number
EP10731463.5A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2452435A1 (en
Inventor
Wulf Reise
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
BCS Automotive Interface Solutions GmbH
Original Assignee
BCS Automotive Interface Solutions GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Family has litigation
First worldwide family litigation filed litigation Critical https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=42707578&utm_source=google_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=EP2452435(B1) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Application filed by BCS Automotive Interface Solutions GmbH filed Critical BCS Automotive Interface Solutions GmbH
Publication of EP2452435A1 publication Critical patent/EP2452435A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2452435B1 publication Critical patent/EP2452435B1/en
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
    • H03K17/00—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking
    • H03K17/94—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking characterised by the way in which the control signals are generated
    • H03K17/96—Touch switches
    • H03K17/962—Capacitive touch switches
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
    • H01H13/70—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard
    • H01H13/702—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
    • H01H13/705—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches characterised by construction, mounting or arrangement of operating parts, e.g. push-buttons or keys
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
    • H01H13/70—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard
    • H01H13/78—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard characterised by the contacts or the contact sites
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H3/00—Mechanisms for operating contacts
    • H01H3/02—Operating parts, i.e. for operating driving mechanism by a mechanical force external to the switch
    • H01H2003/0293—Operating parts, i.e. for operating driving mechanism by a mechanical force external to the switch with an integrated touch switch
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2203/00—Form of contacts
    • H01H2203/036—Form of contacts to solve particular problems
    • H01H2203/038—Form of contacts to solve particular problems to be bridged by a dome shaped contact
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2239/00—Miscellaneous
    • H01H2239/006—Containing a capacitive switch or usable as such
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
    • H03K17/00—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking
    • H03K17/94—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking characterised by the way in which the control signals are generated
    • H03K17/96—Touch switches
    • H03K2017/9602—Touch switches characterised by the type or shape of the sensing electrodes
    • H03K2017/9604—Touch switches characterised by the type or shape of the sensing electrodes characterised by the number of electrodes
    • H03K2017/9613—Touch switches characterised by the type or shape of the sensing electrodes characterised by the number of electrodes using two electrodes per touch switch
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
    • H03K2217/00—Indexing scheme related to electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making or -breaking covered by H03K17/00
    • H03K2217/94—Indexing scheme related to electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making or -breaking covered by H03K17/00 characterised by the way in which the control signal is generated
    • H03K2217/96—Touch switches
    • H03K2217/96054—Double function: touch detection combined with detection of a movable element
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
    • H03K2217/00—Indexing scheme related to electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making or -breaking covered by H03K17/00
    • H03K2217/94—Indexing scheme related to electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making or -breaking covered by H03K17/00 characterised by the way in which the control signal is generated
    • H03K2217/96—Touch switches
    • H03K2217/9607—Capacitive touch switches
    • H03K2217/960755—Constructional details of capacitive touch and proximity switches

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a key switch according to the preamble of claim 1, wherein both an actuation of the key and a touch of the key is detected.
  • Such key switches are used for example in telephone keyboards or control panels with multiple buttons.
  • push button which have an elastic switching mat, for example from the DE 198 39 811 A1 or from the generic JP 2008 282724 A which acts on an underlying contact on a printed circuit board and thus mechanically closes a circuit when the button is pressed.
  • the touch detection of the key can be capacitive, for example, a sensor surface is attached to the inside of the key cap, which is connected via sliding contacts or lines with a transmitter. It is disadvantageous that the sensor surface must follow the movement of the key and the electrical connections are technically very complex and error-prone.
  • the EP 1 635 366 A1 shows a tactile switch with a capacitive touch detection, in which on the inside of the key, a first capacitor is formed, having the protruding arms, which are in non-contact overlap with a perpendicular from a printed circuit board plate of a transfer capacitor to a change in the electric field of the first Condenser to be transferred to an evaluation unit.
  • the generic JP 2008-282724 A shows a key switch, in which in addition to the pressure switching function described above, a capacitive switching function is provided.
  • a capacitive switching function is provided.
  • an additional, flexible electrode for detecting the capacitive signal is arranged directly below the button provided with a metal layer.
  • the object of the invention is to simplify a key switch mentioned above and to allow its cost-effective production.
  • the sensor surface is arranged directly on the circuit board, so that the contact of the button for signal evaluation can be omitted.
  • the capacitive coupling between the capacitive sensor surface and the contact surface of the key can be achieved alone by the fact that the key is formed at least partially electrically conductive. A capacitance change by the touch of the button can thus be detected by the capacitive sensor surface.
  • the entire electrical contact and the connection to the transmitter can be done in this case completely on the PCB.
  • a connection between the button and the circuit board by means of sliding contacts or cables can be omitted.
  • the key body itself is preferably made of a plastic in the present case.
  • the button is preferably provided with a conductive coating.
  • the key may be chromed or coated with another metal, e.g. in a galvanic process.
  • the coating is preferably provided on at least one touch surface of the key to achieve a sufficient capacitive effect when a user touches the key.
  • the conductive coating extends at least to a region on the underside of the button that is in contact with the switching mat.
  • the switching mat is designed to be electrically conductive on its upper side and / or on its lower side in order to reinforce the capacitive coupling.
  • This can be achieved for example by a conductive coating.
  • the electrically conductive connection between the contact surface of the button and the capacitive sensor surface is interrupted only by the thickness of the material of the switching mat and the distance of the switching mat from the sensor surface. From the top of the switching mat to the bottom so there is preferably no electrically conductive connection, but only a capacitive coupling. It has been found that in this way a very good capacitive coupling between the capacitive sensor surface and the contact surface of the key can be achieved.
  • the switching mat may be formed closed so that it has no openings on its surface. As a result, the switching mat also causes protection of the underlying elements from environmental influences, such as moisture, mechanical damage or electrostatic discharges.
  • a snap-action disc is arranged, which closes an electrical circuit in the exercise of the pressure switching function, as is known from a conventional construction of a push-button switch with a switching mat.
  • the contact arrangement on the circuit board may for example be selected so that the electrical contact of the pressure switching function is surrounded by the capacitive sensor surface.
  • the two contacts are electrically isolated from each other to obtain a clear separation of the triggering signal.
  • the FIG. 1 shows a key switch 10, which may for example be part of a keyboard with several identical or different key switches.
  • the key switch 10 may also be used in a control panel with one or more keys, for example in a telephone or in a control panel in a vehicle instrument panel.
  • a key switch 10 may also be used in a control panel with one or more keys, for example in a telephone or in a control panel in a vehicle instrument panel.
  • other applications are also conceivable.
  • the key switch 10 has a key 12, which consists in this example of an integrally formed, made of a plastic keycap.
  • the button 12 has at its top a touch pad 14 on which a user operates the button 12 with a finger, either to only touch the button 12 or to depress the button 12 in the z direction for actuation.
  • a printed circuit board 16 which has an electrical contact 18 centrally below the button 12, and the button 12 in the z-direction opposite a capacitive sensor surface 20 which concentrically surrounds the electrical contact 18, as in FIG. 2 is shown.
  • a switching mat 22 is arranged, which extends over the printed circuit board 16 as a closed surface, wherein preferably for all keys 12 in the keyboard or in the control panel, a single, flat continuous switching mat 22 is provided.
  • the switching mat 22 has a switching dome 24, which is geometrically adapted to the shape of the underside of the key 12 such that the key 12 on the switching dome 24 is securely latched. The exact design can be adopted by any known safety mats.
  • a snap-action disc 26 is arranged so that its curvature points away from the electrical contact 18.
  • the snap-action disc 26 is designed and arranged such that its center lies above the electrical contact 18, while its edge region 28 is arranged above the capacitive sensor surface 20. Its center is spaced from the electrical contact 18.
  • the button 12 is designed electrically conductive. In the example shown, it is completely covered with a metallic coating 30, for example a chromium layer.
  • the switching mat 22 is provided with an electrically conductive coating 31 both on its upper side and on its underside.
  • the coating in the region of the underside of the switching mat 22 is also arranged on the capacitive sensor surface 20 on the circuit board 16, as in FIG. 1 can be seen.
  • a capacitive coupling between the contact surface 14 and the capacitive sensor surface 20 is achieved, by means of which by touching the capacitance or the potential on the capacitive sensor surface 20, a touch of the key 12 can be detected.
  • This detection is performed by an evaluation, not shown.
  • This transmitter can be designed so that it also detects and evaluates a conventional key operation by pressing in the z direction via the pressure switching function.
  • the user depresses the button 12, for example by pressure on the contact surface 14 in the z-direction, so that the switching dome 24 presses on the center of the snap disk 26 and this bends in the z-direction, so that the central region of the snap disc 26th touched the electrical contact 18.
  • the edge region 28 is pressed onto the capacitive sensor surface 20, so that a current flow between the capacitive sensor surface 20 and the electrical contact 18 is made possible.
  • the closing of this circuit is detected by the transmitter and interpreted as a key press.
  • the electrical contact 18 is contacted by the circuit board with a conductor 32 on the underside of the circuit board 16, as in FIG. 2 is shown.
  • the connection of the capacitive sensor surface 20, however, takes place via a conductor track 34 on the upper side of the printed circuit board 16.
  • Both the electrical contact 18 and the capacitive sensor surface 20 may be formed by copper surfaces on the circuit board 16, but it is also possible to provide a gold coating at this point in order to prevent corrosion.
  • the button 12 only partially conductive, preferably a conductivity in the region of the contact surface 14 is provided.
  • Conductivity can also be achieved by providing an electrically conductive coating, for example a chromium plating or coating with another metal, but also by virtue of the fact that the key is wholly or partially made into an electrical element conductive plastic.

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft einen Tastschalter nach dem Oberbegriff des Anspruchs 1, bei dem sowohl eine Betätigung der Taste als auch eine Berührung der Taste erfasst wird.The invention relates to a key switch according to the preamble of claim 1, wherein both an actuation of the key and a touch of the key is detected.

Derartige Tastschalter werden beispielsweise in Telefon-Tastaturen oder Bedienfeldern mit mehreren Tasten eingesetzt.Such key switches are used for example in telephone keyboards or control panels with multiple buttons.

Es sind Tastschalter bekannt, die eine elastische Schaltmatte aufweisen, z.B. aus der DE 198 39 811 A1 oder aus der gattungsgemäßen JP 2008 282724 A , die auf einen darunterliegenden Kontakt auf einer Leiterplatte einwirkt und so auf mechanische Weise einen Schaltkreis schließt, wenn die Taste betätigt wird. Die Berührungserkennung der Taste kann hingegen kapazitiv erfolgen, wobei beispielsweise eine Sensorfläche an der Innenseite der Tastenkappe angebracht ist, welche über Schleifkontakte oder Leitungen mit einer Auswerteelektronik verbunden ist. Dabei ist nachteilig, dass die Sensorfläche der Bewegung der Taste folgen muss und die elektrischen Verbindungen prozesstechnisch sehr aufwendig und zudem fehleranfällig sind.There are known push button, which have an elastic switching mat, for example from the DE 198 39 811 A1 or from the generic JP 2008 282724 A which acts on an underlying contact on a printed circuit board and thus mechanically closes a circuit when the button is pressed. The touch detection of the key, however, can be capacitive, for example, a sensor surface is attached to the inside of the key cap, which is connected via sliding contacts or lines with a transmitter. It is disadvantageous that the sensor surface must follow the movement of the key and the electrical connections are technically very complex and error-prone.

Die EP 1 635 366 A1 zeigt einen Tastschalter mit einer kapazitiven Berührungserkennung, bei dem an der Innenseite der Taste ein erster Kondensator ausgebildet ist, der abstehende Arme aufweist, die in berührungsfreier Überlappung mit einer von einer Leiterplatte senkrecht abstehenden Platte eines Übertragungskondensators sind, um eine Änderung des elektrischen Feld des ersten Kondensators an eine Auswerteeinheit zu übertragen.The EP 1 635 366 A1 shows a tactile switch with a capacitive touch detection, in which on the inside of the key, a first capacitor is formed, having the protruding arms, which are in non-contact overlap with a perpendicular from a printed circuit board plate of a transfer capacitor to a change in the electric field of the first Condenser to be transferred to an evaluation unit.

Die gattungsgemäße JP 2008-282724 A zeigt einen Tastschalter, bei der neben der oben beschriebenen Druck-Schaltfunktion eine kapazitive Schaltfunktion vorgesehen ist. Hierzu ist direkt unterhalb der mit einer Metallschicht versehenen Taste eine zusätzliche, flexible Elektrode zur Erfassung des kapazitiven Signals angeordnet.The generic JP 2008-282724 A shows a key switch, in which in addition to the pressure switching function described above, a capacitive switching function is provided. For this purpose, an additional, flexible electrode for detecting the capacitive signal is arranged directly below the button provided with a metal layer.

Aufgabe der Erfindung ist es, einen eingangs genannten Tastschalter zu vereinfachen und dessen kostengünstigere Fertigung zu ermöglichen.The object of the invention is to simplify a key switch mentioned above and to allow its cost-effective production.

Zu diesem Zweck weist ein Tastschalter die Merkmale des Anspruchs 1 auf. Erfindungsgemäß ist also die Sensorfläche direkt auf der Leiterplatte angeordnet, sodass die Kontaktierung der Taste zur Signalauswertung entfallen kann. Die kapazitive Kopplung zwischen der kapazitiven Sensorfläche und der Berührfläche der Taste lässt sich bereits alleine dadurch erreichen, dass die Taste wenigstens abschnittsweise elektrisch leitfähig ausgebildet ist. Eine Kapazitätsänderung durch die Berührung der Taste kann damit von der kapazitiven Sensorfläche erfasst werden.For this purpose, a key switch on the features of claim 1. According to the invention, therefore, the sensor surface is arranged directly on the circuit board, so that the contact of the button for signal evaluation can be omitted. The capacitive coupling between the capacitive sensor surface and the contact surface of the key can be achieved alone by the fact that the key is formed at least partially electrically conductive. A capacitance change by the touch of the button can thus be detected by the capacitive sensor surface.

Die gesamte elektrische Kontaktierung sowie die Verbindung mit der Auswerteelektronik kann in diesem Fall vollständig über die Leiterplatte erfolgen. Eine Verbindung zwischen der Taste und der Leiterplatte mittels Schleifkontakten oder Kabeln kann entfallen.The entire electrical contact and the connection to the transmitter can be done in this case completely on the PCB. A connection between the button and the circuit board by means of sliding contacts or cables can be omitted.

Der Tastenkörper selbst besteht im vorliegenden Fall bevorzugt aus einem Kunststoff. Um die Taste leitfähig zu gestalten, wird die Taste vorzugsweise mit einer leitfähigen Beschichtung versehen. Beispielsweise kann die Taste verchromt oder mit einem anderen Metall überzogen sein, z.B. in einem galvanischen Verfahren. Es ist natürlich auch möglich, die Taste wenigstens abschnittsweise aus einem elektrisch leitfähigen Kunststoff zu fertigen, in den beispielsweise Kohlenstoffpartikel eingelagert sind.The key body itself is preferably made of a plastic in the present case. To make the button conductive, the button is preferably provided with a conductive coating. For example, the key may be chromed or coated with another metal, e.g. in a galvanic process. Of course, it is also possible to manufacture the key at least in sections from an electrically conductive plastic, in which, for example, carbon particles are incorporated.

Die Beschichtung ist vorzugsweise wenigstens an einer Berührfläche der Taste vorgesehen, um einen ausreichenden kapazitiven Effekt zu erzielen, wenn ein Benutzer die Taste berührt. Es ist jedoch vorteilhaft, die Taste vollständig elektrisch leitfähig zu machen, entweder durch das vollständige Überziehen mit einer elektrisch leitfähigen Beschichtung oder durch das Fertigen der gesamten Taste aus einem an sich elektrisch leitfähigen Kunststoff.The coating is preferably provided on at least one touch surface of the key to achieve a sufficient capacitive effect when a user touches the key. However, it is advantageous to make the button completely electrically conductive, either by the complete coating with an electrically conductive coating or by making the entire button from a per se electrically conductive plastic.

Bevorzugt erstreckt sich die leitfähige Beschichtung zumindest bis zu einem Bereich an der Unterseite der Taste, der in Kontakt mit der Schaltmatte ist.Preferably, the conductive coating extends at least to a region on the underside of the button that is in contact with the switching mat.

Vorteilhaft ist die Schaltmatte auf ihrer Oberseite und/oder auf ihrer Unterseite elektrisch leitfähig ausgebildet, um die kapazitive Kopplung zu verstärken. Dies lässt sich beispielsweise durch eine leitfähige Lackierung erreichen. Insbesondere in Kombination mit einer leitfähigen Beschichtung der gesamten Taste ist dann die elektrisch leitende Verbindung zwischen der Berührfläche der Taste und der kapazitiven Sensorfläche lediglich durch die Dicke des Materials der Schaltmatte und den Abstand der Schaltmatte von der Sensorfläche unterbrochen. Von der Oberseite der Schaltmatte zu deren Unterseite besteht also vorzugsweise keine elektrisch leitende Verbindung, sondern nur eine kapazitive Kopplung. Es hat sich gezeigt, dass sich auf diese Weise eine sehr gute kapazitive Kopplung zwischen der kapazitiven Sensorfläche und der Berührfläche der Taste erreichen lässt.Advantageously, the switching mat is designed to be electrically conductive on its upper side and / or on its lower side in order to reinforce the capacitive coupling. This can be achieved for example by a conductive coating. In particular, in combination with a conductive coating of the entire button then the electrically conductive connection between the contact surface of the button and the capacitive sensor surface is interrupted only by the thickness of the material of the switching mat and the distance of the switching mat from the sensor surface. From the top of the switching mat to the bottom so there is preferably no electrically conductive connection, but only a capacitive coupling. It has been found that in this way a very good capacitive coupling between the capacitive sensor surface and the contact surface of the key can be achieved.

Die Schaltmatte kann geschlossen ausgebildet sein, sodass sie keine Öffnungen auf ihrer Fläche aufweist. Hierdurch bewirkt die Schaltmatte auch einen Schutz der darunterliegenden Elemente vor Umwelteinflüssen, beispielsweise Feuchtigkeit, mechanischen Beschädigungen oder elektrostatischen Entladungen.The switching mat may be formed closed so that it has no openings on its surface. As a result, the switching mat also causes protection of the underlying elements from environmental influences, such as moisture, mechanical damage or electrostatic discharges.

Zwischen der Leiterplatte und der Schaltmatte und über dem elektrischen Kontakt ist in einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform eine Schnappscheibe angeordnet, die bei der Ausübung der Druck-Schaltfunktion einen elektrischen Schaltkreis schließt, so wie dies von einer herkömmlichen Konstruktion eines Tastschalters mit einer Schaltmatte bekannt ist.Between the circuit board and the switching mat and over the electrical contact in a preferred embodiment, a snap-action disc is arranged, which closes an electrical circuit in the exercise of the pressure switching function, as is known from a conventional construction of a push-button switch with a switching mat.

Anstatt einer Schnappscheibe kann auch eine bekannte Mäander/Kontaktpillen-Kombination zur Verwirklichung der Druck-Schaltfunktion vorgesehen sein.Instead of a snap-action disc, it is also possible to provide a known meander / contact-pilling combination for realizing the pressure-switching function.

Die Kontaktanordnung auf der Leiterplatte kann beispielsweise so gewählt sein, dass der elektrische Kontakt der Druck-Schaltfunktion von der kapazitiven Sensorfläche umgeben ist. Die beiden Kontakte sind elektrisch voneinander isoliert, um eine klare Trennung des auslösenden Signals zu erhalten. Es ist jedoch möglich, die Schnappscheibe auf dem gleichen Potenzial wie die Sensorfläche zu halten und eine Auswerteelektronik vorzusehen, die die bei Berührung oder Betätigung der Taste entstehenden Potenzialunterschiede unterscheiden und die Art der Betätigung bestimmen kann.The contact arrangement on the circuit board may for example be selected so that the electrical contact of the pressure switching function is surrounded by the capacitive sensor surface. The two contacts are electrically isolated from each other to obtain a clear separation of the triggering signal. However, it is possible to keep the snap-action disc at the same potential as the sensor surface and to provide evaluation electronics which can distinguish the potential differences arising when the key is touched or actuated and determine the type of actuation.

Weitere Merkmale und Vorteile der Erfindung ergeben sich aus der nachfolgenden Beschreibung eines Ausführungsbeispiels, in Verbindung mit den beigefügten Zeichnungen. In diesen zeigen:

  • Figur 1 eine schematische Schnittansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Tastschalters, und
  • Figur 2 schematisch die Kontaktanordnung des Tastschalters aus Figur 1 in einer Draufsicht.
Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In these show:
  • FIG. 1 a schematic sectional view of a pushbutton switch according to the invention, and
  • FIG. 2 schematically the contact arrangement of the key switch FIG. 1 in a top view.

Die Figur 1 zeigt einen Tastschalter 10, der beispielsweise Teil einer Tastatur mit mehreren gleichartigen oder unterschiedlichen Tastschaltern sein kann. Der Tastschalter 10 kann auch in einem Bedienfeld mit einer oder mehreren Tasten eingesetzt werden, beispielsweise in einem Telefon oder in einem Bedienfeld in einer Fahrzeuginstrumententafel. Andere Anwendungen sind natürlich ebenfalls denkbar.The FIG. 1 shows a key switch 10, which may for example be part of a keyboard with several identical or different key switches. The key switch 10 may also be used in a control panel with one or more keys, for example in a telephone or in a control panel in a vehicle instrument panel. Of course, other applications are also conceivable.

Der Tastschalter 10 weist eine Taste 12 auf, die in diesem Beispiel aus einer einstückig ausgebildeten, aus einem Kunststoff bestehenden Tastenkappe besteht. Die Taste 12 hat an ihrer Oberseite eine Berührfläche 14, an der ein Benutzer die Taste 12 mit einem Finger bedient, entweder um die Taste 12 nur zu berühren oder um die Taste 12 in z-Richtung zur Betätigung herunterzudrücken.The key switch 10 has a key 12, which consists in this example of an integrally formed, made of a plastic keycap. The button 12 has at its top a touch pad 14 on which a user operates the button 12 with a finger, either to only touch the button 12 or to depress the button 12 in the z direction for actuation.

In z-Richtung unterhalb der Taste 12 liegt eine Leiterplatte 16, die mittig unter der Taste 12 einen elektrischen Kontakt 18 aufweist, und der Taste 12 in z-Richtung gegenüberliegend eine kapazitive Sensorfläche 20, die den elektrischen Kontakt 18 konzentrisch umgibt, wie in Figur 2 dargestellt ist.In the z-direction below the button 12 is a printed circuit board 16 which has an electrical contact 18 centrally below the button 12, and the button 12 in the z-direction opposite a capacitive sensor surface 20 which concentrically surrounds the electrical contact 18, as in FIG. 2 is shown.

Zwischen der Leiterplatte 16 und der Taste 12 ist eine Schaltmatte 22 angeordnet, die sich als geschlossene Fläche über die Leiterplatte 16 erstreckt, wobei vorzugsweise für sämtliche Tasten 12 in der Tastatur oder im Bedienfeld eine einzige, flächig durchgängige Schaltmatte 22 vorgesehen ist. Im Bereich der Taste 12 weist die Schaltmatte 22 einen Schaltdom 24 auf, der geometrisch so an die Form der Unterseite der Taste 12 angepasst ist, dass die Taste 12 auf dem Schaltdom 24 sicher verrastet ist. Die genaue Gestaltung kann von beliebigen bekannten Schaltmatten übernommen werden.Between the circuit board 16 and the button 12, a switching mat 22 is arranged, which extends over the printed circuit board 16 as a closed surface, wherein preferably for all keys 12 in the keyboard or in the control panel, a single, flat continuous switching mat 22 is provided. In the area of the key 12, the switching mat 22 has a switching dome 24, which is geometrically adapted to the shape of the underside of the key 12 such that the key 12 on the switching dome 24 is securely latched. The exact design can be adopted by any known safety mats.

Zwischen der Schaltmatte 22, genauer gesagt zwischen dem Schaltdom 24, und der Leiterplatte 16 bzw. dem elektrischen Kontakt 18 ist eine Schnappscheibe 26 so angeordnet, dass ihre Wölbung vom elektrischen Kontakt 18 weg zeigt. Die Schnappscheibe 26 ist so ausgebildet und angeordnet, dass ihr Mittelpunkt über dem elektrischen Kontakt 18 liegt, während ihr Randbereich 28 über der kapazitiven Sensorfläche 20 angeordnet ist. Ihr Mittelpunkt ist vom elektrischen Kontakt 18 beabstandet.Between the switching mat 22, more precisely between the switching dome 24, and the circuit board 16 and the electrical contact 18, a snap-action disc 26 is arranged so that its curvature points away from the electrical contact 18. The snap-action disc 26 is designed and arranged such that its center lies above the electrical contact 18, while its edge region 28 is arranged above the capacitive sensor surface 20. Its center is spaced from the electrical contact 18.

Die Taste 12 ist elektrisch leitfähig gestaltet. Im gezeigten Beispiel ist sie vollständig mit einer metallischen Beschichtung 30, beispielsweise einer Chromschicht, überzogen.The button 12 is designed electrically conductive. In the example shown, it is completely covered with a metallic coating 30, for example a chromium layer.

Im Bereich der Taste 12 ist die Schaltmatte 22 sowohl an ihrer Oberseite als auch an ihrer Unterseite mit einer elektrisch leitfähigen Beschichtung 31 versehen. Es besteht also eine durchgehende elektrisch leitfähige Verbindung von der Berührfläche 14 der Taste 12 zur leitfähigen Beschichtung 31 der Oberseite der Schaltmatte 22 (in der Zeichnung sind die Taste 12 und die Schaltmatte 22 aus Gründen der Darstellung mit Abstand dargestellt). Die Beschichtung im Bereich der Unterseite der Schaltmatte 22 ist auch über der kapazitiven Sensorfläche 20 auf der Leiterplatte 16 angeordnet, wie in Figur 1 zu erkennen ist. Auf diese Weise wird eine kapazitive Kopplung zwischen der Berührfläche 14 und der kapazitiven Sensorfläche 20 erreicht, mittels derer durch Änderung der Kapazität bzw. des Potenzials an der kapazitiven Sensorfläche 20 eine Berührung der Taste 12 erkannt werden kann. Diese Erkennung wird von einer nicht gezeigten Auswerteelektronik vorgenommen. Diese Auswerteelektronik kann so ausgelegt sein, dass sie auch gleichzeitig eine konventionelle Tastenbetätigung durch Drücken in z-Richtung über die Druck-Schaltfunktion erkennt und auswertet.In the area of the key 12, the switching mat 22 is provided with an electrically conductive coating 31 both on its upper side and on its underside. Thus, there is a continuous electrically conductive connection from the contact surface 14 of the key 12 to the conductive coating 31 of the top of the switching mat 22 (in the drawing, the key 12 and the switching mat 22 are shown at a distance for the sake of illustration). The coating in the region of the underside of the switching mat 22 is also arranged on the capacitive sensor surface 20 on the circuit board 16, as in FIG. 1 can be seen. In this way, a capacitive coupling between the contact surface 14 and the capacitive sensor surface 20 is achieved, by means of which by touching the capacitance or the potential on the capacitive sensor surface 20, a touch of the key 12 can be detected. This detection is performed by an evaluation, not shown. This transmitter can be designed so that it also detects and evaluates a conventional key operation by pressing in the z direction via the pressure switching function.

Für die Druck-Schaltfunktion drückt der Benutzer die Taste 12 beispielsweise durch Druck auf die Berührfläche 14 in z-Richtung herunter, sodass der Schaltdom 24 auf den Mittelpunkt der Schnappscheibe 26 drückt und diese in z-Richtung durchbiegt, sodass der mittlere Bereich der Schnappscheibe 26 den elektrischen Kontakt 18 berührt. Gleichzeitig wird der Randbereich 28 auf die kapazitive Sensorfläche 20 gedrückt, sodass ein Stromfluss zwischen der kapazitiven Sensorfläche 20 und dem elektrischen Kontakt 18 ermöglicht ist. Das Schließen dieses Schaltkreises wird von der Auswerteelektronik detektiert und als Tastenbetätigung interpretiert. Der elektrische Kontakt 18 ist durch die Leiterplatte hindurch mit einer Leiterbahn 32 auf der Unterseite der Leiterplatte 16 kontaktiert, wie in Figur 2 dargestellt ist. Der Anschluss der kapazitiven Sensorfläche 20 erfolgt hingegen über eine Leiterbahn 34 auf der Oberseite der Leiterplatte 16.For the pressure switching function, the user depresses the button 12, for example by pressure on the contact surface 14 in the z-direction, so that the switching dome 24 presses on the center of the snap disk 26 and this bends in the z-direction, so that the central region of the snap disc 26th touched the electrical contact 18. At the same time, the edge region 28 is pressed onto the capacitive sensor surface 20, so that a current flow between the capacitive sensor surface 20 and the electrical contact 18 is made possible. The closing of this circuit is detected by the transmitter and interpreted as a key press. The electrical contact 18 is contacted by the circuit board with a conductor 32 on the underside of the circuit board 16, as in FIG. 2 is shown. The connection of the capacitive sensor surface 20, however, takes place via a conductor track 34 on the upper side of the printed circuit board 16.

Sowohl der elektrische Kontakt 18 als auch die kapazitive Sensorfläche 20 können durch Kupferflächen auf der Leiterplatte 16 gebildet sein, es ist aber auch möglich, an dieser Stelle eine Goldbeschichtung vorzusehen, um einer Korrosion vorzubeugen.Both the electrical contact 18 and the capacitive sensor surface 20 may be formed by copper surfaces on the circuit board 16, but it is also possible to provide a gold coating at this point in order to prevent corrosion.

Es ist möglich, die Taste 12 nur abschnittsweise leitfähig auszubilden, wobei vorzugsweise eine Leitfähigkeit im Bereich der Berührfläche 14 vorgesehen ist. Vorteilhaft ist auch eine Leitfähigkeit an der Unterseite der Taste 12. Die Leitfähigkeit kann durch Vorsehen einer elektrisch leitfähigen Beschichtung, beispielsweise eine Verchromung oder Beschichtung mit einem anderen Metall, erreicht werden, aber auch dadurch, dass die Taste ganz oder teilweise aus einem an sich elektrisch leitfähigen Kunststoff besteht.It is possible to form the button 12 only partially conductive, preferably a conductivity in the region of the contact surface 14 is provided. Conductivity can also be achieved by providing an electrically conductive coating, for example a chromium plating or coating with another metal, but also by virtue of the fact that the key is wholly or partially made into an electrical element conductive plastic.

Claims (9)

  1. A pushbutton switch having
    a pressure switching function to recognize a key actuation, and
    a capacitive sensor function to recognize a key touch,
    comprising an at least partly electrically conductive key (12), a printed circuit board (16) which includes at least one electrical contact (18) by means of which an electric circuit is closed in a mechanical manner by depressing the key (12) via a switching mat (22) arranged between the key (12) and the printed circuit board (16), characterized in that the printed circuit board (16) has at least one capacitive sensor surface (20) located opposite to and at a distance from the key (12),
    with a capacitive coupling existing between the key (12) and the sensor surface (20).
  2. The pushbutton switch according to claim 1, characterized in that the key (12) is provided with a conductive coating (30).
  3. The pushbutton switch according to claim 2, characterized in that the coating (30) is provided at a touch surface (14) of the key (12).
  4. The pushbutton switch according to either of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the conductive coating (30) extends as far as to an area on the lower side of the key (12) which is in contact with the switching mat (22).
  5. The pushbutton switch according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the switching mat (22) is configured to be electrically conductive on its upper side and/or on its lower side.
  6. The pushbutton switch according to claim 5, characterized in that no electrically conducting connection exists from the upper side of the switching mat (22) to the lower side of the switching mat (22).
  7. The pushbutton switch according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the switching mat (22) is of a closed design.
  8. The pushbutton switch according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a snap disk (26) is arranged above the electrical contact (18), between the printed circuit board (16) and the switching mat (22), the snap disk (26) closing an electric switching circuit when the pressure switching function is exercised.
  9. The pushbutton switch according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical contact (18) is surrounded by the capacitive sensor surface (20).
EP10731463.5A 2009-07-10 2010-07-02 Push-button switch having capacitive touching detection Not-in-force EP2452435B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102009032634A DE102009032634A1 (en) 2009-07-10 2009-07-10 Pushbutton with capacitive key recognition
PCT/EP2010/004016 WO2011003555A1 (en) 2009-07-10 2010-07-02 Push-button switch having capacitive touching detection

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2452435A1 EP2452435A1 (en) 2012-05-16
EP2452435B1 true EP2452435B1 (en) 2017-10-11

Family

ID=42707578

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP10731463.5A Not-in-force EP2452435B1 (en) 2009-07-10 2010-07-02 Push-button switch having capacitive touching detection

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US9614521B2 (en)
EP (1) EP2452435B1 (en)
JP (1) JP5694311B2 (en)
KR (1) KR20120065323A (en)
CN (1) CN102549927B (en)
BR (1) BR112012000627A2 (en)
DE (1) DE102009032634A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2011003555A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (24)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9780781B2 (en) 2010-09-28 2017-10-03 Blackberry Limited Multi-action capacitive switch and methods of use
EP2434645B1 (en) * 2010-09-28 2020-03-11 BlackBerry Limited A multi action capacitive switch and methods of use
DE102011087232A1 (en) * 2011-09-01 2013-03-07 Preh Gmbh Switch with switching cap and thus movable electrode
JP5831902B2 (en) * 2011-12-27 2015-12-09 株式会社ワコム Operation switch device
DE102013006415B4 (en) 2013-04-13 2022-08-25 Kostal Automobil Elektrik Gmbh & Co. Kg Device for operating several functions in a motor vehicle
DE102013006414A1 (en) * 2013-04-13 2014-10-16 Leopold Kostal Gmbh & Co. Kg Device for operating a plurality of functions in a motor vehicle
US20140340317A1 (en) * 2013-05-14 2014-11-20 Sony Corporation Button with capacitive touch in a metal body of a user device and power-saving touch key control of information to display
US20140354577A1 (en) * 2013-05-28 2014-12-04 Ingar Hanssen Multi-State Capacitive Button
US9568524B2 (en) * 2013-05-29 2017-02-14 Atmel Corporation Multi-state capacitive button
MX2017005357A (en) 2014-10-28 2017-07-28 Spectrum Brands Inc Lock with water-resistant touch keypad.
DE102014019241B4 (en) * 2014-12-19 2018-02-08 Audi Ag Input device for determining a manual operation
US10191600B2 (en) 2015-10-21 2019-01-29 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Device with mechanical keys and capacitance measurement
US10908742B2 (en) 2015-10-21 2021-02-02 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Device with grooves in conductive casing
KR102423148B1 (en) * 2015-11-26 2022-07-21 삼성전자주식회사 Methode for obtaining user input and electronic device thereof
KR101905851B1 (en) * 2016-05-17 2018-10-11 삼보모터스주식회사 Capacitive switch
US10175773B2 (en) * 2016-07-01 2019-01-08 Tactual Labs Co. Touch sensitive keyboard
US10175772B2 (en) 2016-07-01 2019-01-08 Tacutal Labs Co. Touch sensitive keyboard
EP3349151B1 (en) * 2017-01-11 2019-11-06 Mohammad Khaled Asef Double-sided key switch with touch function
EP3355474B1 (en) * 2017-01-26 2021-12-08 RAFI GmbH & Co. KG Switching device for converting a manual and/or mechanical motion into a switching signal
WO2019151940A1 (en) 2018-02-01 2019-08-08 Razer (Asia-Pacific) Pte. Ltd. Key switch mechanisms, user input devices and methods of fabricating a key switch mechanism
EP4278436A1 (en) * 2021-01-13 2023-11-22 Merit Automotive Electronics Systems S.L.U Haptic button assembly and a keypad containing such button assembly
CN114334512B (en) * 2021-07-08 2024-03-15 光宝科技股份有限公司 Key structure
KR102499566B1 (en) * 2021-08-11 2023-02-14 현대트랜시스 주식회사 Capacitive touch type power seat switch using receptacle
KR102394816B1 (en) * 2021-08-25 2022-05-04 현대자동차주식회사 Capacitive touch type power seat switch using conductive rubber

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE69121858T2 (en) * 1990-12-13 1997-01-30 Sextant Avionique Two-point switching device
DE19839811A1 (en) 1998-09-01 2000-03-02 Delphi Automotive Systems Gmbh Switch arrangement
EP1635366A1 (en) 2004-09-10 2006-03-15 Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH Switch unit
US20060232557A1 (en) 2001-12-11 2006-10-19 Wolfgang Fallot-Burghardt Combination consisting of a computer keyboard and mouse control device
WO2007014780A1 (en) 2005-08-03 2007-02-08 Preh Gmbh Control element for a motor vehicle
EP1873596A1 (en) 2006-07-01 2008-01-02 NBB Controls + Components AG Portable radio remote control transmitter with backlit pushbuttons
US20080257707A1 (en) 2007-04-23 2008-10-23 Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho Touch sensor switch
JP2008282724A (en) * 2007-05-11 2008-11-20 Tokai Rika Co Ltd Switch device

Family Cites Families (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN2227849Y (en) * 1994-12-15 1996-05-22 旭丽股份有限公司 Keyboard signal fetching unit
JP2001283679A (en) 2000-03-31 2001-10-12 Mitsumi Electric Co Ltd Switch for game controller
US7115825B2 (en) * 2001-02-15 2006-10-03 Integral Technologies, Inc. Low cost key actuators and other switching device actuators manufactured from conductive loaded resin-based materials
JP4503424B2 (en) * 2004-11-30 2010-07-14 アルプス電気株式会社 Multistage switch device
DE102005025021A1 (en) * 2005-05-30 2006-12-07 Intedis Gmbh & Co. Kg switching element
DE102005041038A1 (en) * 2005-08-25 2007-03-01 Valeo Schalter Und Sensoren Gmbh switch unit
JP2007329090A (en) * 2006-06-09 2007-12-20 Nec Corp Input device
KR100804550B1 (en) * 2006-10-19 2008-02-20 삼성전자주식회사 Key pad assembly
KR100859318B1 (en) 2007-01-04 2008-09-19 에이디반도체(주) Two-stage switch using capacitance sensor and mechanical contactor switch
JP2008289058A (en) 2007-05-21 2008-11-27 Tokai Rika Co Ltd Switching equipment
US7829812B2 (en) 2007-07-03 2010-11-09 Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications Ab Input device and an electronic device comprising an input device
US8174508B2 (en) 2007-11-19 2012-05-08 Microsoft Corporation Pointing and data entry input device
JP5020050B2 (en) 2007-12-13 2012-09-05 信越ポリマー株式会社 Operation switch cover member

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE69121858T2 (en) * 1990-12-13 1997-01-30 Sextant Avionique Two-point switching device
DE19839811A1 (en) 1998-09-01 2000-03-02 Delphi Automotive Systems Gmbh Switch arrangement
US20060232557A1 (en) 2001-12-11 2006-10-19 Wolfgang Fallot-Burghardt Combination consisting of a computer keyboard and mouse control device
EP1635366A1 (en) 2004-09-10 2006-03-15 Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH Switch unit
WO2007014780A1 (en) 2005-08-03 2007-02-08 Preh Gmbh Control element for a motor vehicle
EP1873596A1 (en) 2006-07-01 2008-01-02 NBB Controls + Components AG Portable radio remote control transmitter with backlit pushbuttons
US20080257707A1 (en) 2007-04-23 2008-10-23 Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho Touch sensor switch
JP2008282724A (en) * 2007-05-11 2008-11-20 Tokai Rika Co Ltd Switch device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
BR112012000627A2 (en) 2019-11-19
JP5694311B2 (en) 2015-04-01
WO2011003555A1 (en) 2011-01-13
CN102549927A (en) 2012-07-04
DE102009032634A1 (en) 2011-01-13
KR20120065323A (en) 2012-06-20
EP2452435A1 (en) 2012-05-16
CN102549927B (en) 2015-07-01
US20120199459A1 (en) 2012-08-09
JP2012532431A (en) 2012-12-13
US9614521B2 (en) 2017-04-04

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP2452435B1 (en) Push-button switch having capacitive touching detection
EP1736354B1 (en) Operating element with proximity sensor
DE2559681C2 (en) Actuating device for the selective closing of several electrical circuits
EP2355356B1 (en) Capacitative touch and/or proximity sensor
DE2803901A1 (en) KEYPAD
WO2012013631A1 (en) Surface-integrated keypad with capacitive analysis
EP2759060B1 (en) Operating device, such as a human-machine interface, in particular for a vehicle component
EP1913612A1 (en) Control element for a motor vehicle
DE102006062393A1 (en) Operating arrangement for operating electric device, particularly household appliance, has sensor element, which is designed as plane element that extends across length that is two times thickness of human finger
DE102014114170B4 (en) Control element with safety mat
DE3536539C2 (en)
DE3643124C2 (en)
WO2007140956A1 (en) Operational control for a vehicle
EP3078046B1 (en) Keyboard comprising multiple stabilized tile-shaped keys
DE2439697B2 (en) PRESSURE SWITCH
DE10040151C1 (en) Keyboard for reliable triggering of electrical switching functions has less frequently operated keys made using less expensive technology than frequently used keys
DE102008014463B4 (en) Operating unit for a vehicle component, in particular for a ventilation and / or air conditioning system of a vehicle
WO2004081958A2 (en) Continuously actuatable keys pertaining to a keyboard comprising an integrated signal detection element, and method for signal processing
EP1481410B1 (en) Film keyboard
EP1160814B1 (en) Electric switch structure
DE102007043663B4 (en) Keyboard made up of several electrical buttons
DE2535050A1 (en) Keyboard for connection of printed circuit board contacts - has dished platelets with flexible cover for circuit connections
EP1355332A2 (en) Electric contact device and corresponding keyboard
DE102010026955A1 (en) Contact switch for use in motor car to control lighting, has contact layer pressed against electrode portion such that interconnection between electrode and electrode portion is produced, and control circuit producing control signal
EP1318535A1 (en) Foldable sheet switch and method of manufacture

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20120112

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK SM TR

DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20141216

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20170508

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK SM TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: LANGUAGE OF EP DOCUMENT: GERMAN

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: REF

Ref document number: 936860

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20171115

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 502010014246

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: MP

Effective date: 20171011

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG4D

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20171011

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20171011

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20171011

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20171011

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20171011

Ref country code: NO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180111

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180112

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20171011

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180211

Ref country code: HR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20171011

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180111

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R026

Ref document number: 502010014246

Country of ref document: DE

PLBI Opposition filed

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009260

PLAX Notice of opposition and request to file observation + time limit sent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNOBS2

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 9

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20171011

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20171011

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20171011

26 Opposition filed

Opponent name: PREH GMBH

Effective date: 20180628

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20171011

Ref country code: SM

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20171011

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20171011

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20171011

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20171011

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20180702

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20171011

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20180702

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: BE

Ref legal event code: MM

Effective date: 20180731

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: MM4A

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20180731

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20180702

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20180731

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20180702

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20180731

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R082

Ref document number: 502010014246

Country of ref document: DE

Representative=s name: PRINZ & PARTNER MBB PATENTANWAELTE RECHTSANWAE, DE

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R081

Ref document number: 502010014246

Country of ref document: DE

Owner name: BCS AUTOMOTIVE INTERFACE SOLUTIONS GMBH, DE

Free format text: FORMER OWNER: TRW AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRONICS & COMPONENTS GMBH, 78315 RADOLFZELL, DE

RAP2 Party data changed (patent owner data changed or rights of a patent transferred)

Owner name: BCS AUTOMOTIVE INTERFACE SOLUTIONS GMBH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MM01

Ref document number: 936860

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20180702

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CZ

Payment date: 20190701

Year of fee payment: 10

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20190730

Year of fee payment: 10

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20190725

Year of fee payment: 10

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20190719

Year of fee payment: 10

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20180702

PLCK Communication despatched that opposition was rejected

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNREJ1

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: TR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20171011

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R100

Ref document number: 502010014246

Country of ref document: DE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20171011

Ref country code: HU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT; INVALID AB INITIO

Effective date: 20100702

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20171011

Ref country code: MK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20171011

PLBN Opposition rejected

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009273

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: OPPOSITION REJECTED

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20171011

27O Opposition rejected

Effective date: 20200402

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20200702

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 502010014246

Country of ref document: DE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20200731

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210202

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20200702